Uniting Gulfport and fighting hunger in Ward 6
GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- A Gulfport city councilwoman is bringing the community together while also helping combat food insecurities in Ward 6.
Every Tuesday night from 6 to 8, the Orange Grove Community Center in Gulfport becomes the city’s unofficial dance floor.
There’s music, movement, and a whole lot of smiling going on, but this isn’t just any dance class, it’s the brainchild of Councilwoman Carrissa Corbett. “I was knocking doors whenever I was out campaigning, asking people, what would you like to see in the community? And everyone was like we just need something to do.”
So, she listened and she delivered. With the idea of line dancing as something for all ages, Corbett started the Tuesday night line dancing class for the community. “Line dancing is the new thing. So, I decided to just implement it, and people have just taken it and ran with it.”
What started with about 30 people has now grown into a packed house every week with new faces walking in the door every time the music starts. Line dancer Rebecca Byrd said, “ Oh my gosh, we’re having so much fun. So, this is the Line dance class that’s been going on for several weeks, and we just got out here. Have fun, learn some line dances and sweat.”
No matter your age, skill level, or favorite dance move, this is a place for everyone. Some people come for fitness, others come for friends, and plenty come to get their social media dance moves down pat. “ It’s like the things that are going on now, the music that’s going on now. You see it on TikTok or on social media, and then you get to learn it. So, it’s like, hey. I’m a part of that now.”
Councilwoman Corbett also added a food drive to the mix, asking everyone to bring shelf-stable items to help build a community pantry. ” I was like, we need to have a little bit more, give people to put a little skin in the game. So, I was asking them. Let’s start a food pantry. So, I ask everyone to come every Tuesday to bring a food, a can item or a chef storage food item. And we’re growing our food pantry here now.”
This free community event is about connection, compassion, and cardio, with a side step of comedy courtesy of the man leading the steps, Reverend Cory Watts. “Imagine I’m Richard Simmons without the hair and pants. We are here tonight to get the community out to exercise through line dance, get ’em up. The Heart Association says you need to work out at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. We’re here for two hours. Some people come in, they go out. We got ’em from 70 years old to 70 something. And so, we’re all here just working out, having a great time.”
His line dancing is a stress reliever and helps build self-esteem. “ They feel better about themselves, so when they go to the cookout and to the party, they can have a good time with everyone else.”
